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The White Mountains: Annapurna’s Hidden Secrets

Nepal is a place of extraordinary majesty. The country is situated in the shadow of the Himalaya and bordered by the dense jungles of the Indian plains. The people who inhabit it - an ancient people - live at one with nature and enjoy a slow-paced life of peace in their isolated paradise.

Although the indigenous population live a life of tranquility, there’s no reason not to enjoy the other wonders that the region has in its lap. Nepal is great for adventure, too. Don’t be surprised to see people kayaking, paragliding, canyoning, white water rafting and mountain climbing on their days off.

In fact, there’s no better place if you like the mountains, because this is the home of the greatest white peaks in the world.

The Mountains

The Annapurna mountains are a feature of the Himalaya. There are 30 mountains in this region that are over 6,000 metres in height which is tall by anyone’s standard. Annapurna I, the tallest of the mountains here, towers over the rest at 8091m. This simple fact puts it in the top 10 tallest mountains in all of the world.

Take great care if you’re planning on climbing Annapurna I as this particular mountain likes to eat humans for dinner. Of all the people who have tried to make a summit attempt, there has been a less than promising success rate of 38%!

Annapurna I aside, the much safer ‘Annapurna circuit’ is a great way to break in those new trekking boots.

Trekking

The Annapurna circuit is, doubtless, one of the best trekking circuits ever. In fact it’s been repeatedly rated in the top 10.

Taking between 17 and 21 days to complete, the journey sees you through four of Nepal’s most beautiful regions. Each of these regions have their own very distinct views and feels, so you’re constantly rewarded for the effort you put into walking.

Make no mistake, you’ll need to prepare for it. 21 days of walking in any capacity would be enough to tire you out, so make sure you’re fit and ready with all the right equipment before setting off.

You’ll trek through isolated Buddhist villages, jutting mountain passes and the world’s deepest gorge. This isn’t the easiest trek there ever was, but is certainly one of the most worthwhile.

Annapurna Conservation Area

The Mountains lend their might to the Annapurna conservation area. The conservation area was started in 1986, is home to around 100,000 people and covers an area that’s a whopping 7,629 sq. km in size.

The biodiversity of the conservation area is noteworthy. Especially for somewhere that seems like it would be difficult to live. The region is home to almost two thousand species of plants and animals, all of which are perfectly adapted to life on the slopes.

The area is staggeringly beautiful, too. It has the world’s largest Rhodedendron forest that when blooming, overcomes the senses. It’s also home to lake Tilicho - the highest freshwater lake in the world.

Paragliding

If you thought it was beautiful from the ground, you should see it from the air. Paragliding is a favourite among not only the Work the World students, but anyone who visits Nepal for any length of time.

Paragliding is not as tough as you’d think. The conditions in these mountains are perfect even for beginners who’ve never flown before. The sub-tropical thermals make for a smooth flight from start to finish.

Some paragliding experiences can last for days and take you on a complete tour of the skies. So take some time out to spend a few days flying the same routes as the Himalayan Griffon Vultures if you dare.

The Work the World Nepal experience puts you right where you need to be to see Annapurna in all it’s beauty. Live on the slopes in the company of the friendly Nepalese people and experience their spiritual way of life that has existed for centuries.

What’s more, working with the Nepalese people will offer you a unique insight into the effects on the body that living at such great altitude has.

To find out more about our Nepal programmes and why you should sign up today for an utterly unforgettable experience, click here: Kathmandu | Pokhara